Spartanburg mom who led officers on chase that killed daughter sentenced to 13 years

Errika Shelton

Errika Shelton sits during a hearing at the Spartanburg County Courthouse on Tuesday afternoon. Shelton was sentenced to 13 years in prison plus five years probation in connection with a police chase last year on I-85 that resulted in a wreck and the death of her daughter, who was thrown from the vehicle.

Last Modified: Tuesday, May 21, 2013 at 3:24 p.m.

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Queniya Tykia Shelton, 7, was thrown from the vehicle her mother, Errika Dominique Shelton, was driving after it hit the guardrail in the northbound lane near the 81-mile marker on Interstate 85. Queniya was pronounced dead at 7:21 p.m. Aug. 7 at Spartanburg Regional Medical Center.

Shelton, 27, of 142 Lincoln Drive, pleaded guilty Tuesday to failure to stop for a blue light with a death involved, habitual traffic offender with a death, reckless homicide, child neglect, driving under suspension third or subsequent offense and possession of marijuana with intent to distribute.

Circuit Court Judge Lawton McIntosh sentenced Shelton to 13 years, followed by five years probation. Shelton could serve up to 20 more years if she violates probation.

She faced a maximum of 70 years and six months.

Shelton appeared in court wearing an orange jail jumpsuit. Her attorney, Frank Eppes, rolled Shelton's wheelchair toward the judge's bench after the hearing began. Shelton suffered injuries as a result of the accident. Along with physical damage, a psychiatrist said in court that Shelton has been diagnosed with post traumatic stress disorder, feels guilty and has “significant anxiety.” She takes an antidepressant, along with other medications.

The psychiatrist said that Shelton was Tazed in a 2009 encounter with police and thinks that Shelton was acting out of fear when she tried to flee officers who initiated a traffic stop.

Seventh Circuit Solicitor Barry Barnette said in court that Spartanburg County Sheriff's deputies were patrolling Interstate 85 about 9:30 a.m. Aug. 6 when they saw Shelton make an improper lane change. The deputies activated their blue lights, but Shelton, who was behind the wheel of a 2012 Dodge Journey, did not stop.

A dash cam video showed Shelton weaving in and out of traffic, almost losing control of the vehicle, taking an exit, zipping past stopped vehicles and through a red light, before making her way back onto the interstate.

Deputies found a child safety seat inside the vehicle after the crash and realized a child had been in the vehicle, Barnette said. Almost seven ounces of marijuana was recovered, he said.

An S.C. Highway Patrol investigation found that Shelton was driving about 90 mph when the SUV hit the guardrail, Barnette said. Queniya died as a result of injuries she suffered in the crash.

Shelton's criminal record includes convictions for failing to stop for a blue light, unlawful carrying of a weapon, assaulting a police officer while resisting arrest, habitual traffic offender and drug charges, according to the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division.

Shelton's driver's license was suspended 18 times from May 2005 through February 2012 for various violations. She was classified a habitual offender.

An officer said in court that Shelton talked to investigators about unsolved homicides, but those cases remain open.

Shelton's attorney said in court that talking to law enforcement shows that she's taken steps to “straighten out.”

“It's a horrific crime … The people who suffered the worst were Errika and her family,” Eppes said.

Eppes said Shelton was one of those individuals who are the “complete architect of their own destruction.” He said she killed her child, destroyed her body and damaged her mind. The same psychiatrist who evaluated Shelton also said it appears that Shelton suffered minor brain damage.

More than 30 people appeared in court to show support for Shelton. Among them was Shelton's mother, Trena Rice, who said she loved her daughter and granddaughter. Rice said she had cared for Queniya since the child was 2 weeks old.

“There's a lot of broken hearts,” Rice said.

She also said the past could not be changed.

Shelton read from a letter she wrote, saying that no matter how many tears she cries, she cannot bring back the daughter who was “lavished” with “love and attention” during her life.

Barnette said Shelton also will appear in court in Greenville County because of “probation matters.” She could face an additional 10 years, he said.

“Errika Shelton selfishly placed her own needs in front of those of her innocent daughter,” Barnette said in a statement.

<p>A Spartanburg woman admitted she led officers on a chase that topped speeds of 100 miles per hour and ended in a crash that killed her daughter.</p><p>Queniya Tykia Shelton, 7, was thrown from the vehicle her mother, Errika Dominique Shelton, was driving after it hit the guardrail in the northbound lane near the 81-mile marker on Interstate 85. Queniya was pronounced dead at 7:21 p.m. Aug. 7 at Spartanburg Regional Medical Center.</p><p>Shelton, 27, of 142 Lincoln Drive, pleaded guilty Tuesday to failure to stop for a blue light with a death involved, habitual traffic offender with a death, reckless homicide, child neglect, driving under suspension third or subsequent offense and possession of marijuana with intent to distribute.</p><p>Circuit Court Judge Lawton McIntosh sentenced Shelton to 13 years, followed by five years probation. Shelton could serve up to 20 more years if she violates probation.</p><p>She faced a maximum of 70 years and six months.</p><p>Shelton appeared in court wearing an orange jail jumpsuit. Her attorney, Frank Eppes, rolled Shelton's wheelchair toward the judge's bench after the hearing began. Shelton suffered injuries as a result of the accident. Along with physical damage, a psychiatrist said in court that Shelton has been diagnosed with post traumatic stress disorder, feels guilty and has “significant anxiety.” She takes an antidepressant, along with other medications.</p><p>The psychiatrist said that Shelton was Tazed in a 2009 encounter with police and thinks that Shelton was acting out of fear when she tried to flee officers who initiated a traffic stop.</p><p>Seventh Circuit Solicitor Barry Barnette said in court that Spartanburg County Sheriff's deputies were patrolling Interstate 85 about 9:30 a.m. Aug. 6 when they saw Shelton make an improper lane change. The deputies activated their blue lights, but Shelton, who was behind the wheel of a 2012 Dodge Journey, did not stop.</p><p>A dash cam video showed Shelton weaving in and out of traffic, almost losing control of the vehicle, taking an exit, zipping past stopped vehicles and through a red light, before making her way back onto the interstate.</p><p>Deputies found a child safety seat inside the vehicle after the crash and realized a child had been in the vehicle, Barnette said. Almost seven ounces of marijuana was recovered, he said.</p><p>An S.C. Highway Patrol investigation found that Shelton was driving about 90 mph when the SUV hit the guardrail, Barnette said. Queniya died as a result of injuries she suffered in the crash.</p><p>Shelton's criminal record includes convictions for failing to stop for a blue light, unlawful carrying of a weapon, assaulting a police officer while resisting arrest, habitual traffic offender and drug charges, according to the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division.</p><p>Shelton's driver's license was suspended 18 times from May 2005 through February 2012 for various violations. She was classified a habitual offender.</p><p>An officer said in court that Shelton talked to investigators about unsolved homicides, but those cases remain open.</p><p>Shelton's attorney said in court that talking to law enforcement shows that she's taken steps to “straighten out.”</p><p>“It's a horrific crime … The people who suffered the worst were Errika and her family,” Eppes said.</p><p>Eppes said Shelton was one of those individuals who are the “complete architect of their own destruction.” He said she killed her child, destroyed her body and damaged her mind. The same psychiatrist who evaluated Shelton also said it appears that Shelton suffered minor brain damage.</p><p>More than 30 people appeared in court to show support for Shelton. Among them was Shelton's mother, Trena Rice, who said she loved her daughter and granddaughter. Rice said she had cared for Queniya since the child was 2 weeks old.</p><p>“There's a lot of broken hearts,” Rice said.</p><p>She also said the past could not be changed.</p><p>Shelton read from a letter she wrote, saying that no matter how many tears she cries, she cannot bring back the daughter who was “lavished” with “love and attention” during her life.</p><p>Barnette said Shelton also will appear in court in Greenville County because of “probation matters.” She could face an additional 10 years, he said.</p><p>“Errika Shelton selfishly placed her own needs in front of those of her innocent daughter,” Barnette said in a statement.</p>